THUD BUKIT is a Thrash/Death Metal band from San Francisco, California. This is their first offering and it was released back in December of 2020. This album is a culmination of being isolated and hating 2020 through and through. The two man group just decided to make something of this crappy year and have some fun and hopefully the listener will have fun too. Let's see what these guys bring to the table.

Ukulele and Thrash Metal, well that is unique mix. You'd think you heard of everything before in listening to metal for over 25 years and but sometimes bands surprise us. The band definitely is more joke oriented and the themes of the songs (and most of the lyrics persay) are more lighthearted than anything else. They don't take themselves too seriously but musically, you obviously have two really talented players. You can have the most ridiculous lyrics but if you don't have the music to back it up, it loses it's constant appeal. These guys have put thought and effort on the musical side of things more than a lot of bands out there.

The production was better than I'd thought, you can see that these two guys put in the extra time and effort. The guitars sound really good and Ron Dorn, for a multi-instrumentalist is awfully good. For something that is self produced, I thought it was quite good. I have heard some more commercial Metal efforts in the last few years that aren't this good. It's important to see that technology has evolved and you can do something really complete at home, in your apartment or anywhere you dare well please. The programs and technology have been progressing throughout the years and I thought they did a great job. The drums don't sound too weak, the guitars are on point and well, the ukulele sounds clear enough! The mix seems to be as good as it can be for what their music delivers.

The vibe of the album is good, I think it tends to make you feel part of the group. You want to thrash all around and release that anger, that negativity inside. It's been a frustrating and depressing time for all of us and we need an outlet to get rid of these negative thoughts inside our heads and hearts. It's a fun album and with some killer riffs, sometimes you kind of forget about the more comical lyrics and you headbang your life away. That's the sign of a good album, or a good band persay. I did enjoy the puns and the comic relief of the lyrical themes. From celebrating a birthday alone, working from home or being forced by a curfew inside, it's a more amusing touch to something that is greatly negative.

''Plague Rats'' definitely stands out, speaking about the anti-maskers that are ruining the lives of many around them. Wishing them harm is probably something that everyone has thought about, well, at least once or twice obviously. Comparing them to the scum of the earth and showing the outrage of the people that are following orders in a more comical way, it really spoke to me on that personal level.

''Per My Last Email'' is also something that is touched upon my personal life. I have been home for 10 months and sending emails is a dreadful task and trying to make sure you don't make any mistakes while having to the rest of your stuff at home. You try your best and coordinating the projects and anything that revolves around this is a difficult task when there is no personal contact in an office. Working from home can be a blessing or a curse, THUD BUKIT definitely bring a more whimsical approach to the life of working at home and I thought it was a nice touch honestly.

The band may have started as a dare or a bet, but their Death/Thrash Metal sound is more mature than a lot of bands out there. They obviously have many influences like S.O.D., NUCLEAR ASSAULT, D.R.I. and DETHKLOK and they incorporate it really well in their sound. Some bands that take themselves less seriously in a stale genre are the ones that are able to stand shoulders above the rest of the bands. They strip down the music to it's essential core even though your lyrics can be a bit juvenile, sometimes it's all you need is going back to basics. In comparison I feel two of the very best Power Metal bands out there have fun with their lyrics and song titles, GLORYHAMMER and POWERWOLF. They don't take themselves too seriously and they are two of the best sounding bands of this genre that has been really stale for the last decade and a half. They have a more natural amusing approach to music and they are head and shoulders above anything (well almost anything) out there.

I feel that even being comical or whimsical is not a deterrent to what you bring forth. I would compare them to CHEMICAL WAY, a local Thrash Metal band that speaks about parties, zombies and movies. Yet their music is great and their bring some frantic and contagious energy. I feel THUD BUKIT is wonderful in that way, it's energy is great from start to finish. I think it's an album we can all relate to, 2020 utterly sucked and this album is just a big middle finger to the year that we wished never existed. It's a nice surprise and I glad I listened to this album in a time that is not great and it has a genuine charm. I hope these guys get signed because they have some great potential and this album doesn't sacrifice humor for substance and they are dedicated Thrash/Death Metal band...with a Ukulele!